Merlot

We sit across from each other. The merlot is already intoxicating my veins and their long fingers have begun to caress my hand from the other side of the candle lit dining table. Their presence is hypnotic, alarmingly so. It's like I've known them my entire life, but that can’t be because we have only just met?

How did we meet? What is their name?

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

“So what do you like to do for fun?” I murmur, distracting myself from my odd line of thoughts. I am dying to hear the sounds that will pour from their lips, their presence is already drowning me deeper into my merlot induced drunkenness and I have not yet heard them speak.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

They are so electrifying, I think to myself, it feels like there is no one else in the room. World even, besides the smoke detectors in the restaurant. They beep, like an afterthought in my head, I begin to hear it non stop.

How long have they been going off and why will no one fix them?

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

“Mostly I like to collect things.” Their voice is like melted chocolate, soft and comforting. I knew in my bones it would be. Another caress, this time against my cheek, makes me forget my train of thought.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

They stare, waiting almost — for my next words perhaps. The wine or their eyes or both are lulling me into slumber. I try to fight it. I do not want to miss a moment with this enigmatic being across from me.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

“And—“ I am cut off. My throat is tight. Suffocating. “What is happening?” I think to myself, beginning to panic. I am losing the small semblance of peace I was beginning to feel.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

“Hush my love.” My date whispers, the candles casting a haunting shadow across their face. Their lips continue to move but all I can hear is that godforsaken smoke detector.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

“Ah.” They smile, a foreboding smile, a smile from ear to ear. Something about this face is familiar yet ghastly at the same time. Like I have seen them many times over the years. Their image changes before, blurring and then clearing and then blurring again. Memories push into my mind but I will the thoughts away. I must be going insane.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

“It is time to go.” They finish. “Go? I don’t want to go anywhere. I never want to leave!” I begin to panic again but they put a soft hand on the side of my neck that immediately calms all my worries.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

“I know my love,” they state “but it is time to collect.” My eyes are blurring as they disappear from my line of sight.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I’m no longer in the restaurant. No longer listening to the beeping of a smoke detector. No longer sipping merlot with a beautiful person across from me.

Beep. Beep.

No, I'm in a dark hospital room. The moon can be seen from the small window; it's the only light in the room. The shadows move and I find I’m laying stiffly in a bed with not a soul in sight.

Beep.

My date suddenly appears before me. A single gentle brush of fingers from them before they pull me forward. The beeping finally slows and stops. The moon shines so bright it blinds me and then everything goes black.

Some date. We didn’t even get to dessert.